Homes Plus
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APRIL 2013 HOMES PLUS 6 Don't lose your cool Air conditioner maintenance vital to stay comfortable as temperatures climb during the summer season By Jim Cryns SPECIAL TO HOMES PLUS Submitted photo new unit. "You have to decide how many motors you will replace before you invest in a new machine," Brink said. Kettle Moraine Heating & Air Conditioning will do a 25-point inspection for less than $100. That may end up being money well spent before the unit goes bellyup. "We'll clean the coil with wash the unit water and cleaner where some companies will just blow air over the unit," Brink said. There have been some advances in air conditioner technology "Newer systems . will adjust the humidity as well as the , temperature, so everybody is happy; avoid the 'thermostat wars'," Brink said. Brink said about 40 percent of his business is service, 60 percent replacement units. "We don't want people to find out about problems the hard way New units . run from about $2,500 to $6,000, depending on the size of your house," Brink said. Brink cautions people to have regular inspections to reap the benefits of a warranty "We've had some situations where . the manufacturer won't honor the See COOL/Page 7 231471011 A Kettle Moraine Heating and Cooling technician does an inspection check on a home's air conditioner. Experts recommend a spring check of your air conditioner, as it won't be long before the units will be in full operational mode as temperatures climb. WAUKESHA – When you turn the ignition on your car, you assume it's going to start. The same thing goes when you flip the switch on your air conditioner. Checking the status of your air conditioner probably isn't high on your to-do list. It's one of those out-of-sight, out-of-mind things. How often do you check the level of insulation in your attic? If you're like most people, you're going to turn on your heater or air conditioner when you need it. "In Wisconsin, the temperature changes so rapidly (that) it's hard to predict when that will be," said William Brink, coowner of Kettle Moraine Heating & Air Conditioning. Brink and his sister, Sarah, took over the business from their father seven years ago with locations in North Prairie and Genesee. "This time of year, traditionally we would call it our slowest. When the weather starts to break and season change, business starts to explode," Brink said. The warning signs your unit may be in distress are noises, rattling or humming. You can watch energy bills to see if there are any jumps from one year to the next. "People often wait until the first really hot day to turn the unit on, they call with the same problem," Brink said. He recommends turning it on a couple of times before the gauge hits 90 degrees. Communication between families members will help keep the unit running, Brink explained. "It's a pretty common problem when family members don't talk," he said. "A husband might turn off the breaker switch inside the house for the winter. Then he'll put a tarp on the unit for protection." Brink said the problem arises when the spouse turns on the unit, but didn't know the tarp was on: "The kids turn it on not knowing about the tarp and it will burn out." It's important to change the air filters on the furnace before the warmer seasons start. "People don't realize the furnace drives the air conditioner, as well as the heater," Brink said. Systems can lose refrigerant and that will cause them to lose efficiency If a unit . suffers breakdowns a couple years in a row, consumer might start looking for a W356N5262 Lakeshore Drive, Okauche/Upper Oconomowoc Lake- $679,900 4BR, 3BA. New KT features cabinets w/ under mount lighting, Quartz counters w/snack bar, recessed lighting & dinette w/built-ins opens to deck. FR w/4 skylights, GFP that overlooks sandy beach. The sunken formal LR & DR have new carpeting. Lake views in the MBR suite w/WIC & new bath. LL FR w/bar, kitchenette and NFP. PIN 64008 Paula White 262/640-8309 S28 W35390 Spring House Court Ottawa - $1,000,000 Gorgeous 5BR, 4.5BA home is nestled on a fabulous 2 acre wooded lot. Main level features Marbled entry-way, office w/cherry flooring, large KT-dinette w/cherry cabinetry, granite counter tops, double ovens, & warming tray. LR w/FP leads to sunroom & patio. Upstairs master w/FP, heated tile flooring, his & her closets + 3 add'l BRs. LL walk-out w/rec rm, movie theater, BR & BA.. Must see! PIN 33058 Sharon Tomlinson 262/470-2000 1223 Cavalier Drive, Waukesha - $259,900 3BR/2.5BA. Entry w/open staircase. New carpeting in the LR & DR w/crown moulding. Cook's KT w/ new granite counters, sink, faucet, tile backsplash, cabinet hardware, tile floor, full pantry, & comes with all appls. KT overlooks dinette, which opens to FR w/brick FP, new patio door w/embedded blinds & leads to the deck. 2 rm master w/FP & cathedral ceiling. PIN 05918 Paula White 262/640-8309 S75 W17603 Harbor Circle E, Muskego - $220,000 If you're looking for a condo w/deeded lake access, then your search is over. The main level features a FR with a natural fireplace, and a kitchen/dinette w/private deck. Upstairs you'll find two generous sized BRs & two full baths and finally the lower level features rec room with glass block wet bar, computer area and 1/2 BA. All of this, plus a 2 car attached tandem GA. MLS# 1300485 Sharon Tomlinson Shorewest, Realtors® gives you more technology to help sell your home. • New mobile website at m.shorewest.com • Enhanced internet site with easy searches and mapping • Bilingual hotline that lets you listen to descriptions or have them texted to your cell phone • All listings on YouTube and Shorewest TV - over-the-air Channel 58.4, Time Warner Digital Cable channel 984 and Charter Cable Digital Channel 966 262/470-2000 949 Quinlan Drive C, Pewaukee - $124,900 2BR/2BA 1st floor sunny gem is move-in ready. Neutral colors, updated faucets & sinks, ceramic tiled BA floors, neutral carpeting, ceiling fans, KT loaded w/cabinets, snack bar, pantry & newer appls. Master w/ private BA, loads of storage in the att 2-car GA & spacious patio overlooking conservancy. This well maintained condo has new carpeting, fresh paint & in a convenient location. PIN 52308 Paula White 262/640-8309 2904 Sussex Lane, Waukesha - $220,000 You'll be delighted with all the space this four bedroom, two and half bath home has to offer. Special features include: a huge LR,, casual dining area off LR for mealtime relaxation, generous sized KT to really move around in, and a FR which is cozy, informal & a great place to just hang out. Upstairs you'll find MBR, & 3 other generous sized BRs. Convenience of City living. MLS# 1289284 Sharon Tomlinson 262/470-2000 420 County Highway #4, Mukwonago - $185,000 This IMMACULATE 3BR, 3BA open concept ranch style condo has 9 ft ceilings & finished LL! Open GR has patio doors leading to nice sized deck. KT w/lovely cabinetry, dinette area & snack bar. Master has bay window, WIC & full BA. 2nd BR, another full BA & laundry area complete the 1st floor. LL /with FR + den area. Storage space throughout! PIN 45758 Marilyn Burns 262/441-0348 310 Cypress Pt, North Prairie - $400,000 4BR, 3BA split ranch located in the Broadlands. 1st flr features office, lrg kit/dinette complete w/HWFs, Corian counter tops, walk in pantry & center island. FR, complete w/GFP cozy enough for 2 or perfect for entertaining & finally, screened porch & deck! LL boasts a den/bonus room, BR & FR w/wet bar. All of this, plus an inground sprinkler system. MLS# 1300462 Sharon Tomlinson 262/470-2000 1613 Grey Fox Trail A, Mukwonago - $154,500 This 2BR/2BA is the large open concept first floor condo you have been waiting for! Bought before it was completed the sellers had time to make many upgrades such as the beautiful gas fireplace, raised snack bar, great office/den area with wiring for the TV over the fireplace as well as in the wall for future surround sound. Excellent closet/storage space! PIN 51408 Marilyn Burns 262/441-0348 W262 S8690 Oakdale Drive, Vernon - $549,500 Need room to roam? A great 34 acre parcel surrounds this 3BR brick home w/large outbuilding for working the land or just for your toys. Some agricultural, a large stand of trees plus a creek. The large LR has a 2-way NFP to the FR which leads to the eat in KT. Bring your horses - plenty of room. Easy access to churches, shopping and the I43 exit at Hwy 164. PIN 58868 Marilyn Burns 262/441-0348 Brookfield Office 262/786-4000 Waukesha Office 262/548-9393 Lake Country 262/782-4710 Hotline: 262/814-1400 + 5 digit PIN to receive text or photos to your cell phone shorewest.com